Harborough

Harborough's population expanded between the last two censuses. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure and work life.

The population passed 85,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of Harborough increased by 12%, from almost 76,600 to 85,400.

The addition of about 8,800 people means this area's population increased faster than the rate of growth across England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, Harborough was home to, on average, 1 person per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across the East Midlands

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the East Midlands, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older Harborough

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of Harborough increased by three years, from 40 to 43 years.

This rural area had a higher average age than the East Midlands and remained somewhat older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of about 3,500 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just over 2,000.

About 13% of people in Harborough are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, East Midlands and Harborough by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Changing work life

The percentage of Harborough residents that were studying increased from 2.3% to 2.5% in the 10 years leading up to the latest census.

In 2011, just under 6 in 10 (56%) people aged 16 to 74 said they were employed, compared with 58% in 2001. The percentage of Harborough residents that were unemployed increased from 1.8% to 2.5%.

The proportion of students increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 2.5% in 2001 to 3.4% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 2.6% to 3.5%.

The percentage of students was lower than across the East Midlands

Percentage of usual residents aged 16 to 74 that said they were in education across local authority areas in the East Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Changing household dynamics

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple increased in Harborough, but at a slower rate than all other local authority areas in the East Midlands, except Leicester and Blaby.

Every local authority area across the East Midlands saw a rise in the proportion of households with an unmarried couple, as the regional average grew from 8.7% to 10%.

The percentage of households with a cohabiting couple was lower than across the East Midlands

Percentage of households that had an unmarried couple across local authority areas in the East Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Disability in Harborough

The percentage of Harborough residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 7.8% to 7.7% between the last two censuses.

In 2011, just over 1 in 40 (2.8%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 2.2% in 2001. The percentage of Harborough residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability decreased from 90% to 89%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 7.3% in 2001 to 6.9% in 2011). Across England, the proportion fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the East Midlands

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the East Midlands and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of households in Harborough that rented privately increased from 5.8% to 11% in the 10 years leading up to 2011.

The proportion that lived in social housing remained close to 8.3%, while the percentage of Harborough households that owned their home decreased from 83% to 78%.

The proportion of privately rented homes increased at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the East Midlands (from 8.5% in 2001 to 15% in 2011). Across England, the proportion increased from 9.9% to 17%.

Private renting in Harborough increased by 5.5 percentage points

Percentage of households in Harborough, the East Midlands and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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